Maybe you're not already counting down the hours until tonight's bad karaoke party begins. Maybe you almost forgot the 11th season of "American Idol" premieres 8 p.m. tonight on Fox.
Or maybe you're silently quizzing yourself on "Idol" trivia right now, stretching your reality TV muscles as if you're preparing for an athletic challenge.
Either way, a new "Idol" season is quickly approaching. And while viewer fatigue will likely slightly mar this season's ratings, I haven't entirely lost hope in the show. Here are 11 reasons to watch the 11th season of "Idol."
The familiarity: Unlike last year, this season doesn't boast a dramatic overhaul of format or structure. That worries some viewers, but I appreciate the consistency.
The contestants: Last year's group of musically diverse contenders makes me optimistic about this year's crop of singers.
The cheesy Ford commercials: Maybe I'm the only one excited about this reason to watch. Sorry, it's a sickness.
Alex Wong: The former "So You Think You Can Dance" favorite, whose SYTYCD run was marred by injury, reportedly auditioned for this season of "Idol." We'll see how far he advances.
Crying Girl: She made headlines during the infamous Sanjaya season, and reportedly might surface YET AGAIN this time around. As a contestant.
The tired catch-phrases: Anyone want to make a joke involving Randy Jackson and "dawg"? I'm sure THAT'S never been done before.
The judges' save, or lack thereof: Chances are, the latter option is just wishful thinking. But a girl can always dream, right? I hate, hate, hate the judges' save and I hope this will be the year it finally goes away. Reality? Not. Gonna. Happen.
The group songs: So wrong, yet so right. I can't wait for another collectively botched rendition of "Haven't Met You Yet."
The themes: At the top 12 phase last year, most "Idol" theme weeks boiled down to, "Hey, sing whatever you want." It'll be interesting to see if producers opt for equally broad themes this season.
The outrage: How long will it be before a contestant's elimination makes one of your friends vow to never watch "Idol" again?
Hey, "Idol still exists. That means a lot, especially amid the current deluge of reality TV talent competitions.
